Modding a Fluval Evo 13.5, help and advice needed!

[esloan88]

So I have been looking at modding my Fluval Evo 13.5 for better filtering. Right now, I am thinking about building a DIY media basket for the first chamber (where the protein skimmer normally goes) and using Chemipure Elite, Seachem Phosgard and Seachem DeNitrate in the basket.

In the second chamber, I was thinking of setting up a mini-refugium. I was going to use this light: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003J89HEU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2L77EE7U53NWQ and then put Chaeto algae in that second chamber.

My questions:

1. Are my choices of Phosgard/Chemipure/DeNitrate good? Will they work well in the first chamber?
   
   
2. What else would I need in that second chamber with the Chaeto? Do I just put it in a filter bag? Will that light work for it? I saw someone else was doing something similar and I just want to know if this is doable and worthwhile.
   
   
3. This leaves out the possibility for a protein skimmer. Will that be okay? I have heard mixed things about the Fluval Protein skimmer and I will be doing weekly water changes anyway.
   

Thanks guys!

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[ReefCub]

So IMO what you run would be dependent on how new your tank is. At start up I ran one packet of nano chemi-pure blue and bio and let it run. I had originally had the skimmer but really was not pulling that much. I did the same DIY baskets in the second chamber but never could manage to get good flow over the media. I ended up breaking down and getting the media basket from In-tank. Best decision ever. Now I run floss/chemi/purigen/lots of bio. I wouldn't have any good suggestions on refugium IMO it would be a total headache unless you did a hang-on one. Here's a pic of mine. Hope it helps!

 

[hbetanzo]

So IMO what you run would be dependent on how new your tank is. At start up I ran one packet of nano chemi-pure blue and bio and let it run. I had originally had the skimmer but really was not pulling that much. I did the same DIY baskets in the second chamber but never could manage to get good flow over the media. I ended up breaking down and getting the media basket from In-tank. Best decision ever. Now I run floss/chemi/purigen/lots of bio. I wouldn't have any good suggestions on refugium IMO it would be a total headache unless you did a hang-on one. Here's a pic of mine. Hope it helps!

What do you have in the second chamber (the balls)

 

[Mikedawg]

What do you have in the second chamber (the balls)

Looks like Marine Pure; I use it and have had good results

 

[ReefCub]

Looks like Marine Pure; I use it and have had good results

What do you have in the second chamber (the balls)

It is Marine Pure Balls. They work awesome. Even with the terrible flow in the second chamber they have done really well.

 

[hbetanzo]

It is Marine Pure Balls. They work awesome. Even with the terrible flow in the second chamber they have done really well.

Thank you!!!!

 

[Bigtex817]

Reefcub what is that light you have on chamber 3 where the pump is? Also what's it used for?

 

[ReefCub]

Reefcub what is that light you have on chamber 3 where the pump is? Also what's it used for?

The blue light is the ATO optical sensor.